First image of Andre 3000 as Jimi Hendrix in new biopic revealed

The OutKast rapper takes on a weighty role in All Is By My Side, the Hendrix biopic that will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September.

Directed by John Ridley, the film focuses on the year Hendrix spent in England, where he found fame, fortune and the rock and roll lifestyle, as the synopsis details: “Jimmy James, an unknown backup guitarist, left New York City for London, England in 1966. A year later he returned — as Jimi Hendrix. All Is By My Side brings authenticity and poignancy to the story of the man behind the legend, and of the people who loved and inspired him.”

Unfortunately the film won’t contain any songs actually recorded or written by the epochal guitarist himself. That’s right, the Hendrix biopic hasn’t got any Hendrix in it – his estate refused to give the filmmakers permission to use the songs. Instead, Andre will play songs by Muddy Waters, Elmore James and The Beatles, which were part of Jimi’s repertoire at the time. [via NME]